Vinyl pressings
by The Sports · 1979
Don't Throw Stones was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 8 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
19 SMX 53869 [Utopia logo] LONDOND 8ARunout side A, variant 1
15 SMX 53870 IT'S A BUTE. 8A [Utopia logo] LONDONRunout side B, variant 1
3 SMX 53869 [Utopia logo] LONDOND 8A2Runout side A, variant 2
SMX 53870 IT'S A BUTE. [Utopia logo] LONDON 8ARunout side B, variant 2
SMX-53869Side A label
SMX-53870Side B label
MX-53117Side C label
MX-53118Side D label
4249-SA S-3 SRUK S̶I̶R̶ 6̶6001 A Criteria MF 1 S̶P̶ ̶1̶A̶ EGRunout side A, etched, stamped
4249-SB S-4 SRUK S̶I̶R̶ 6001 B Criteria MF 1 S̶P̶ ̶1̶B̶ EGRunout side B, etched, stamped
T1 AB-4249-SA-1-CT MFSide A Runout - Etched
T1 AB-4249-SB-1-CT MFSide B Runout - Etched
CRITERIA [logo]Side A/B Runout - Stamped
1S AB-4249-SA 2 CSM MFSide A Runout - Etched
1S AB-4249-SB-2-CSM MF A3Side B Runout - Etched
CRITERIA [logo]Side A/B Runout - Stamped
AB 4249 SASide A label
AB-4249-SA-1-CP [Criteria logo] MFSide A runout, variant 1
AB-4249-SB-2-CP [Criteria logo] MFSide B runout, variant 1
AB-4249-SA-1-CP [Criteria logo] MFSide A runout, variant 2
AB-4249-SB-1-CP [Criteria logo] MFSide B runout, variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Canada | Arista AB 4249First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1979 | France | Arista 201 020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Ariola 201 020 / Ariola 201 020-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Arista 25RS-71First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Ariola 201 020 / Ariola 201 020-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Sire SRUK 6001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Arista AB 4249First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Arista AB 4249LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | US | Arista AB 4249First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1979 | US | Arista AB 4249First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Arista AB 4249First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Australia | Mushroom L 36844 / Mushroom L-36844First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Australia | Mushroom L 36844 / Mushroom L-36844First yearLP, Album, 7", 45 RPM, Single | LP, Album, 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Greece | Ariola 6483 243LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Mexico | Arista LAE-221LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Australia | Mushroom L-19476 / Mushroom L-36844LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of Don't Throw Stones are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1979 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Australia, UK, US, Canada and more. One of them is Mushroom L 36844, released January 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use L 36844, SRUK 6001, AB 4249, 201 020) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 19 SMX 53869 [Utopia logo] LONDOND 8A and 15 SMX 53870 IT'S A BUTE. 8A [Utopia logo] LONDON. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
